If you’re anything like me, you’ve been spending the last few weeks leading up to UCAT cramming like crazy.
So what happens if, in the middle of the test, the system crashes?
What Happens if The UCAT Exam Crashed Mid-Test?
If you’re in the middle of taking the UCAT exam and the system crashes, don’t panic!
The UCAT Consortium has a contingency plan in place to make sure that no one is disadvantaged. Here’s what will happen:
If the system crashes within the first 10 minutes of the exam, you may be able to get your exam paused and restarted.
You must alert the invigilator immediately as this is the only way an incident report can be filed, and necessary actions are taken.
If the system crashes after the first 10 minutes, the exam may be allowed to proceed, however, an incident report will be filed and raised with Pearson VUE.
The Consequences of a UCAT Exam Crash
It’s the night before your UCAT exam and you’re feeling nervous. You’ve been studying hard and you’re confident in your abilities, but you can’t help but worry about the possibility of a crash.
A UCAT exam crash is rare!
It can be caused by a number of factors, including poor network, system overload and other genuine technical problems.
If you do crash on your UCAT exam, it’s not the end of the world.
However, it can have some consequences. For one, it may mean you have to forfeit your score and resit the exam, or spend a lengthy amount of time talking to Pearson VUE, who are known for poor resolutions.
To avoid such problems, simply choose a test centre with a good track record. Trust Pilot is a good place to cross-check past students’ reviews.
5. How to Prepare for a UCAT Exam Crash
Unfortunately, there is very little preparation that can be done to combat Exam Crashes.
They are rare, and often spontaneous occurrences which can either partially or significantly disrupt your exam.
The good news is that most technical problems or general issues will be investigated via Pearson Vue, so long as you brought it up with the invigilator at the time.
You will also need to submit a form in writing via the incident investigation request form.
6. Conclusion
After reading past students’ experiences, is clear that there is a problem with the way incident investigations are handled since in most cases, UCAT exam disruptions are not the fault of the test taker.
It is however in your best interest to remain calm, and follow the checks and balances required to appeal.
You may get a full refund for a second exam, be given a chance to do the exam at home in a proctored setting, or simply be given a score in the 80th percentile as compensation.
The only way to find out is to go through the process of filing for an investigation!
Do you want some extra UCAT tips?
Get a list of 20 secret UCAT tips used by the best students to improve their scores on test day!
